Micron plans to build the semiconductor manufacturing campus in Clay, New York, spanning several million square feet and featuring four identical 1.2 million-square-foot fabrication plants. Built in phases over the next 20 years, the nonresidential construction project is expected to include extensive utility, warehouse, testing, and employee support facilities.
The permits, issued on December 12, 2025, by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), provide protections for freshwater wetlands, ensure water quality, and safeguard habitats for threatened and endangered species.
DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said the approvals require Micron to “minimize impacts to natural areas” as site planning moves forward on the 1,400-acre parcel at Route 31 and Caughdenoy Road.
Approvals Follow ‘Exhaustive’ Permitting Process
Governor Kathy Hochul called the permit approvals “a pivotal milestone,” noting that they clear the way for town and federal permit decisions expected “in the coming weeks.”
The approvals move forward the megaproject that, in November, announced a delayed construction timeline.
Hochul described the permitting process as “one of the most exhaustive expert analyses ever considered for a project in New York State history,” aimed at balancing Micron’s huge infrastructure needs with environmental stewardship.
Tight Timeline Amid Environmental Deadlines
Micron has proposed a capital investment of up to $100 billion over 20 years to build one of the world’s largest semiconductor fabrication plants. The operation could eventually employ about 9,000 people and represent the largest single private investment in New York’s history.
The Idaho-based chipmaker plans to begin production in 2030, with site work targeted to start by the end of 2025.
For construction planning purposes, timing remains tight. Micron must complete tree clearing by March 31 to avoid the nesting season of the endangered Indiana bat, which means the two-month clearing window will need to begin soon after final federal and local approvals are in place.
What’s Next
Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon stated that the remaining steps include obtaining town approval of Micron’s stormwater pollution prevention plan, as well as permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Department of Commerce. McMahon expressed confidence that those agencies will issue decisions shortly, allowing contractors to mobilize “in the very near term.”
Micron’s Clay campus is expected to drive significant demand for skilled trades following approvals, including concrete, steel fabrication, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, marking a massive construction collaboration within the nation’s expanding semiconductor supply chain.
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